General Pace, the Pentagon's top military officer, pulled a Tim Hardaway and is unapologetic about it. 
The US, along with Iran, Libya, Iraq, and a few other countries remain among the last nations with large military forces to prohibit openly gay soldiers from serving (I'm reminded of a biblical saying, something about judging a man by the company he keeps). In contrast, our brother country from another mother, Israel, along with Canada, Great Britain, Germany, South Africa, and the vast majority of NATO nations choose not to discriminate against their patriotic citizens, despite who those citizens choose to fuck (apparently, drag balls have yet to break out in Israeli barracks).
I'm reminded of two WWII veterans I met while working at a small White Plains Law Firm several years ago. They were both members of segregated black units that were not, until nearly the end of the war, permitted to engage in combat. Instead, they did maintenance; support tasks; one was even a member of a travelling military baseball team. Aside from obvious equality and fairness issues, preventing people from specific groups from fully serving their countries also prevents those groups from having the kinds of heroes and legacies upon which every community draws pride from. Schools, roads, and monuments are erected to honor those who've served, who gave their lives to protect our country. These acts of public recognition become part of the formal and informal history of our country. We can point to the people who defended us, and we laud them and the values they represent. And rightfully so. Our gay soldiers deserve no less.
The US, along with Iran, Libya, Iraq, and a few other countries remain among the last nations with large military forces to prohibit openly gay soldiers from serving (I'm reminded of a biblical saying, something about judging a man by the company he keeps). In contrast, our brother country from another mother, Israel, along with Canada, Great Britain, Germany, South Africa, and the vast majority of NATO nations choose not to discriminate against their patriotic citizens, despite who those citizens choose to fuck (apparently, drag balls have yet to break out in Israeli barracks).I'm reminded of two WWII veterans I met while working at a small White Plains Law Firm several years ago. They were both members of segregated black units that were not, until nearly the end of the war, permitted to engage in combat. Instead, they did maintenance; support tasks; one was even a member of a travelling military baseball team. Aside from obvious equality and fairness issues, preventing people from specific groups from fully serving their countries also prevents those groups from having the kinds of heroes and legacies upon which every community draws pride from. Schools, roads, and monuments are erected to honor those who've served, who gave their lives to protect our country. These acts of public recognition become part of the formal and informal history of our country. We can point to the people who defended us, and we laud them and the values they represent. And rightfully so. Our gay soldiers deserve no less.
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1 comment:
You bring up an excellent point.
It amazes me that non-military people would object to ANY one defending them/serving in the armed forces (except of course crazy people, convicts etc).
Standards for service have been lowered which has led to questionable people serving (i.e. gangbangers and convicts). no one wants such people to receive military training and access to weapons which could hurt us...but somehow gays are seen as a greater threat...this is fucking stupid.
part of me wants all gay soldiers to come out so that they can be booted and then this administration would be screwed--but being booted has very tough outcomes on each soldier so I know such show of unity would not work. plus many of the gay soldiers have a profound sense of patriotism (to serve even though they are openly discrminated upon).
it takes courage to serve, but i think it takes greater courage when you know you will be marginalized and perhaps not backed up in the field of combat if your true self was known by your fellow soldiers.
but once again, the key issue is the war not gays in the military. too many people are dying and too many resources are being WASTED.
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